Galicia states that Porto is the capital of the "new economy"

Porto "has clearly grasped what the new economy is", said the President of the Regional Government of Galicia, Alberto Nuñez Feijóo during his visit to the city of Porto.

"The new economy is primarily tourism; it is a green sector that does not pollute, it is an industrial sector of the countries of the future and Porto is one of Europe's foremost capital cities. Here (in Porto) there is technology, innovation, research and knowledge. And all this is congregated at the University of Porto", Alberto Nuñez Feijóo affirmed.

"Researchers and teachers, startups and large companies are working together to make Porto an innovation and industry capital" declared the President of the Galician Regional Government, after visiting UPTEC - Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto and I3S - Institute of Research and Innovation in Health.

Porto "has changed a lot in the last decade, especially in the past five years. Today it is a city linked to different world cities, a city chosen as favourite vacation destination, because it provides many resources, and it focuses on culture and quality tourism, urban planning and the rehabilitation of its historical centre", Nuñez Feijóo added.

Recognizing "healthy competition" and "honest cooperation" as the two sides of the relationship between the two regions - Galicia and Northern Portugal - Alberto Nuñez Feijóo highlighted the need for those two regions to have their own voice and establish themselves as centres for logistics, transport, tourism, technological and innovation.

The mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, emphasized the direct relationship between knowledge, science and entrepreneurship. "This is, in fact, Porto's great future challenge - the affirmation of its University, its knowledge, its people, as the way to becoming increasingly competitive".

"I often say that the most important institution in the city is its University, with its links to companies like the ones we have visited today," the Mayor reiterated, noting that "it is through knowledge that we can attract and retain the best talent. "A few years ago we were worried about young people moving away. The trend has now reversed," concluded Rui Moreira.